Analyzing the Evolution of The Seven Commandments in Animal Farm: A Closer Look at How They Were Changed Over Time

Learn how the pigs in Animal Farm altered the Seven Commandments to justify their actions and maintain power in this insightful analysis.

Animal Farm is a literary masterpiece that has captured the hearts and minds of readers for decades. This allegorical novel is a satirical commentary on the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalinism. The Seven Commandments, which were established by the animals to govern their society, were supposed to promote equality and freedom. However, as the story unfolds, these commandments are changed in ways that are both subtle and overt. The transition from the original commandments to their altered versions is a gradual process that reflects the corrupting influence of power. In this essay, we will explore how the Seven Commandments were changed in Animal Farm and what these changes reveal about the nature of totalitarianism.

In George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm, the Seven Commandments were established to ensure that all animals were equal and free from tyranny. However, as the story progresses, the pigs manipulate these commandments to gain power and control over the other animals. This article will explore how the Seven Commandments were changed in Animal Farm.

The Original Seven Commandments

The original Seven Commandments were written on the barn wall for all animals to see. They were as follows:1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.3. No animal shall wear clothes.4. No animal shall sleep in a bed.5. No animal shall drink alcohol.6. No animal shall kill any other animal.7. All animals are equal.

The First Change: Drinking Alcohol

The first change to the Seven Commandments occurred when the pigs started drinking alcohol. They argued that they needed it for their health and wellbeing. They convinced the other animals to change the commandment from No animal shall drink alcohol to No animal shall drink alcohol to excess.

The Second Change: Sleeping in Beds

The second change came when the pigs started sleeping in beds. They convinced the other animals that they needed a comfortable place to rest and that the commandment only applied to humans. They changed the commandment from No animal shall sleep in a bed to No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets.

The Third Change: Executing Animals

The third change occurred when the pigs started executing animals who were suspected of being traitors. They convinced the other animals that these executions were necessary for the safety and security of the farm. They added the phrase Without cause to the end of the commandment No animal shall kill any other animal, effectively giving them the power to execute animals without consequence.

The Fourth Change: Trade with Humans

The fourth change came when the pigs started trading with humans. They convinced the other animals that they needed certain items, such as tools and machinery, to improve the farm. They changed the commandment from Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy to Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy, except for those who are necessary for trade.

The Fifth Change: Equality

The fifth and final change occurred when the pigs declared themselves the rulers of Animal Farm. They convinced the other animals that they were the most intelligent and capable of leading the farm. They changed the commandment All animals are equal to All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.

The Consequences of the Changes

The changes to the Seven Commandments had severe consequences for the animals on Animal Farm. The pigs became corrupt and power-hungry, using the commandments to justify their actions and suppress dissent among the other animals. The animals lost their freedom and equality, and the farm became a dictatorship under the rule of the pigs.

Conclusion

In Animal Farm, the Seven Commandments were changed to serve the interests of the pigs. The changes resulted in the loss of freedom and equality for the other animals, and the establishment of a dictatorship under the rule of the pigs. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of tyranny and the importance of vigilance against those who seek to abuse their power.

George Orwell’s Animal Farm is a cautionary tale about the dangers of political revolutions. The story revolves around a group of animals who overthrow their human owners to establish a farm where all animals are equal. They create a set of seven commandments based on equality and respect for all animals. However, the pigs, who took control of the farm, gradually became corrupt and authoritarian, and the seven commandments were changed to justify their rule.

The original seven commandments were the foundation of the revolution, and the animals believed that they would always remain true to them. However, as the pigs started to take more control, they made small changes to give themselves more power. For instance, they added the clause without permission to the commandment that prohibited animals from sleeping in beds, which allowed them to sleep in the beds of the farmers they had overthrown.

As the pigs became more powerful, they saw themselves as superior to the other animals. They even changed the commandment All animals are equal to All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. Eventually, the pigs stopped pretending to adhere to the seven commandments altogether and replaced them with maxims that suited their interests. The seventh commandment became more of a mockery than a guiding principle, and the pigs merged it with the sixth to form a single, all-encompassing maxim: All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.

The irony of the seven commandments is that they were created to prevent exactly what ended up happening. They were supposed to keep the animals united and prevent the pigs from becoming corrupt. However, in the end, they became the tool that the pigs used to justify their rule. The story of Animal Farm serves as a warning about the dangers of political revolutions, as the pigs gradually became what they had been fighting against, and the farm became a dictatorship.

The legacy of Animal Farm is its relevance to the present day. The story of how the pigs changed the seven commandments is a warning about the dangers of authoritarianism and the importance of protecting democracy. As Orwell wrote, All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. Political change requires constant vigilance, and Animal Farm serves as a reminder of this fact.

Once upon a time, on Animal Farm, there were seven commandments that all the animals knew by heart. They were created to ensure equality and freedom for all animals living on the farm. However, as time passed, these commandments underwent changes that ultimately led to the downfall of the animal revolution.

Changes to the Seven Commandments

1. All animals are equal. This commandment was changed to All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. The pigs, who had taken control of the farm, believed they were superior and deserved better treatment than the other animals.
2. No animal shall kill any other animal. This commandment was changed to No animal shall kill any other animal without cause. The pigs used this change to justify killing other animals they deemed a threat to their leadership.
3. No animal shall sleep in a bed. This commandment was changed to No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets. The pigs started sleeping in beds with sheets, claiming they needed to rest well to lead the farm properly.
4. No animal shall drink alcohol. This commandment was changed to No animal shall drink alcohol to excess. The pigs drank alcohol in secret, making it clear that they were above the rules they had set for everyone else.
5. No animal shall wear clothes. This commandment was changed to No animal shall wear clothes without permission. The pigs started wearing clothes, arguing that it was necessary for them to appear more dignified.
6. All animals shall work equally. This commandment was changed to All animals are equal, but some animals work harder than others. The pigs gave themselves easier jobs and worked less, while the other animals had to work harder than ever before.
7. No animal shall trade with humans. This commandment was changed to No animal shall trade with humans without permission. The pigs started trading with humans, claiming they needed certain items that they could not produce on the farm.

Point of View

From my point of view, the changes made to the seven commandments were a clear indication that the pigs were using their power to benefit themselves. They had become corrupt leaders who did not care about the well-being of the other animals on the farm. By changing the rules to suit their needs, they had essentially destroyed the very principles that the animal revolution had been based on. It was a sad and sobering realization that those who had fought so hard for freedom and equality had become just as oppressive as the humans they had overthrown.

Thank you for reading this article about how the seven commandments were changed in Animal Farm. As you have learned, these commandments were established by the animals to ensure equality and fairness in their society. However, as the pigs gained more power, they began to change the commandments to suit their own needs and desires.

At first, the changes were subtle. The pigs added phrases like to excess and when necessary to the original commandments. These small additions allowed them to justify their own actions, even if they went against the original principles of Animalism. As time went on, the commandments became more and more distorted. The pigs began to completely rewrite them, changing the meaning to fit their own agenda.

It is important to remember the lesson of Animal Farm – that those in power will often use whatever means necessary to maintain that power. By changing the commandments, the pigs were able to manipulate the other animals and establish themselves as the ruling class. We must always be vigilant against those who seek to distort the truth and manipulate others for their own gain.

Once again, thank you for reading. We hope that this article has given you a better understanding of how the seven commandments were changed in Animal Farm and why it is so important to remain vigilant against those who seek to twist the truth for their own benefit.

.

When it comes to the famous novel ‘Animal Farm’ by George Orwell, one of the most commonly asked questions is about the changes that took place in the Seven Commandments. Let’s take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions and their answers!

1. How were the Seven Commandments changed in Animal Farm?

1. Initially, the Seven Commandments were as follows:
   • Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
   • Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
   • No animal shall wear clothes.
   • No animal shall sleep in a bed.
   • No animal shall drink alcohol.
   • No animal shall kill any other animal.
   • All animals are equal.
2. As the story progresses, the pigs start to change the Commandments to suit their own needs.
3. The first change comes when the pigs learn to walk on two legs and start living like humans. The Commandment Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy is changed to Four legs good, two legs better.
4. The pigs also start wearing clothes and sleeping in beds, so they change the Commandment No animal shall wear clothes to No animal shall wear clothes without permission and No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets respectively.
5. The Commandment No animal shall drink alcohol is changed to No animal shall drink alcohol to excess.
6. Finally, the pigs change the Commandment All animals are equal to All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.

2. Why were the Seven Commandments changed in Animal Farm?

The changes to the Seven Commandments were made by the pigs in order to maintain their power and control over the other animals. By changing the Commandments, the pigs were able to justify their actions and make the other animals believe that what they were doing was right.

3. What is the significance of the changes to the Seven Commandments in Animal Farm?

The changes to the Seven Commandments highlight the theme of corruption and the abuse of power. They show how those in power can manipulate language and rules to suit their own needs and maintain their control over others. The changes also demonstrate how easily the masses can be fooled and manipulated into believing lies and propaganda.

In conclusion, the changes to the Seven Commandments in Animal Farm are a significant part of the story and play an important role in highlighting the themes of corruption and abuse of power. They also serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of blindly following those in power and the importance of questioning authority.